50 students in Kidapawan under tight watch for possible drug use

KIDAPAWAN CITY - At least 50 students of the biggest public high school here are being monitored due to suspicions that they are using illegal drugs.

 

Rosalinda Lonzaga, principal of the Kidapawan City National High School (KCNHS), said that the 50 students were placed under close monitoring based on the assessment of the school's guidance councilors.

 

Lonzaga said the guidance councilors also interviewed fellow students and parents of the 50 students.

 

The principal, meanwhile, declined to disclose the students' year levels.

 

“I want to clarify that these students are still subject for thorough investigation," she said.

 

She added that the 50 students will be asked to undergo drug testing.

 

Amid the school's drug problem, Lonzaga said that they have strengthened their anti-illegal drugs campaign.

 

She said that they have been doing a "room-to-room" campaign to educate students of the dangers of illegal drugs.

 

Lonzaga said that she is also urging fellow teachers and the students' parents to have an active role in the campaign against illegal drugs.

 

The principal admitted that last year, eight students tested positive for marijuana.

 

She said that the students are now doing well after undergoing a series of parental and psycho-social intervention initiated by the city government's social welfare and development department, in close coordination with the school's guidance councilors.

 

“We make sure that they go to school while undergoing intervention," Lonzaga said, adding that the school has been very careful to protect the identities of the students.

 

Last week, at least 65 students underwent random drug testing initiated by the city government.

 

Lonzaga said she was surprised upon learning that two of the students tested positive for marijuana.

 

She, meanwhile, explained that the school management would not be able to closely monitor all of its students.

 

She said the school has at least 5,000 students.

 

Meanwhile, a student at the University of Southern Mindanao Kidapawan City campus has also tested positive for drug use.

 

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said that the students who will be found positive in the random drug testing will not be arrested.

 

Evangelista said they are just going to ask the students to undergo rehabilitation.

 

“Our aim is to help them and to convince them to stay away from drugs. We will assure the parents and these students that they will be protected while being rehabilitated,” Mayor Evangelista said. —Williamor Magbanua, GMA News